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Your credit score is one of the most important considerations in the home-buying process, determining not only the approval of a mortgage, but also the rate attached to it.

As a first-time homebuyer, you may be wondering what the ideal score is. A recent update from the Ellie Mae Millennial Tracker™ may shed some light on the answer.

According to the Tracker, the average FICO score of a millennial borrower who closed on a home loan this summer was 723; the average FICO score of a millennial borrower who closed on a conventional loan, however, was 748. The average FICO score of a millennial borrower who closed on an FHA loan this summer was lower, at 691. The majority of millennials in Ellie Mae’s Tracker obtained a conventional loan.

“Economic uncertainty may be contributing to a general tightening of credit, which could explain why we are seeing a slight uptick in the average FICO scores for closed loans to millennials,” said Joe Tyrrell, executive vice president of Corporate Strategy at Ellie Mae, in a statement. “We also continue to see FHA loans play a significant role in helping millennials make their homeownership dreams a reality. These types of loans make up 37 percent of all closed loans to this generation, compared to just 23 percent of closed loans across all generations of homebuyers.”

FHA loans averaged 45 days to close this summer, according to the Tracker; conventional loans averaged one day less, at 44.

A recently released forecast expects the economy to regain ground through the remainder of the year, boding well for the housing market in the months to come.

According to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group’s recent 2016 Economic and Housing Outlook, the economy is on track to grow 1.8 percent this year, boosted by an improving employment landscape and higher levels of consumer spending—both of which will give lift to housing.

“Housing market fundamentals remain a mixed bag,” Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist, explained in a statement about the Outlook. “During the second quarter of 2016, both new- and existing-home sales rose to expansion highs, while single-family starts pulled back, remaining historically low for an expansion.

“Tight housing inventory from a lack of new construction continues to create affordability challenges, particularly at the lower end of the market,” Duncan continued. “Robust rental demand during the second quarter of the year has created the lowest rental vacancy rate in decades. In addition, the homeownership rate dropped to below 63 percent in the second quarter, but we are seeing some tentative signs of older millennials moving toward homeownership.

“We expect homebuyers will benefit from improving job and wage growth, more favorable lending standards, and continued low mortgage rates through the rest of the year, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate projected to average 3.4 percent during the fourth quarter.”

Planning for retirement is a manifold and ongoing process, with many variables to consider. Dive into it with this checklist, courtesy of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC):

• Map out a yearly budget for each year you plan to be retired, up to age 100. Expect to need 80 percent of your current annual income each year, minus anticipated pension or Social Security payments.

• Take stock of your finances by valuing assets (e.g., your house, savings bonds) and consolidating retirement accounts, if beneficial. (Consult with a professional before rolling over any funds.)

• Consider your health, life and long-term insurance needs in retirement. If you are the primary earner in your family, for instance, it may be prudent to obtain long-term disability insurance; if your spouse has life insurance, on the other hand, it is wise to confirm you as the beneficiary. Bear in mind, too, that out-of-pocket medical costs are one of the largest expenditures in retirement.

• Explore the possibility of securing an annuity, which can provide additional income in retirement. The four types of annuities are deferred income; fixed and fixed-indexed; single premium immediate; and variable, with guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits. (For more information on annuities, visit NAIC.org/documents/consumer_alert_annuities.htm.)

• Revisit your savings strategy every five years. If change is needed, consider consulting with a certified financial planner to determine the next best course of action.

(Family Features)—Roof damage brought on by a severe weather can render your home uninhabitable if it is left in disrepair. Act fast with these tips from the experts at CertainTeed Roofing.

1. Exercise caution. Do not attempt to make roof repairs unless you are qualified to do so.

2. Prepare for the insurance adjuster. Make detailed notes and take photographs of the damage, if possible, and give them to the insurance adjuster upon arrival. Look for blown-off shingles or damaged gutters during your assessment, as well as leaks inside the attic. Determine, in addition, any requirements the insurance company may have regarding the materials used for repairs.

3. Hire smart. Disreputable roof contractors are a dime a dozen. Consult with at least three professionals before hiring one to perform repairs, and ask them:

• Are you licensed? Not all states have licensing requirements, so a “no” is not necessarily a red flag. Confirm the contractor’s response with your local licensing authority.

• Where are you located? Local contractors are not only within reach, but can also provide in-town, reliable references.

• Do you have insurance? A reputable contractor will be fully insured, with liability and workers compensation coverage.

• What are your specialties? Hiring a contractor with storm restoration experience can be beneficial in the insurance claims process.

Seeking a recommendation for a roofing contractor? Contact a real estate professional for references.

Late summer is the perfect time for some DIY house projects, with temperatures comfortable enough for both indoor and outdoor endeavors.

One days when it is too hot outside, clean the vent fans in the bathrooms—according to Danny Lipford of TodaysHomeowner.com, performing this chore at least annually will keep them operating efficiently and quietly.

To clean a fan, Lipford instructs:

• Turn the power off to the fan.
• Remove the cover (on most fans, this involves pulling down the cover to extend it, then compressing the spring wires on each side to take it off).
• Use a brush or vacuum to remove dust from the cover. Scrub it in soapy water.
• Vacuum out the dust from inside the fan box and wipe off the blades.
• Spray the moving parts with silicone lubricant.
• Replace the vent fan cover.
• Turn the power back on.

While you are on the step ladder, remove any cobwebs from the ceiling and scrub mildew from the walls, Lipford adds. Consider, as well, replacing inefficient light bulbs with LED or CFL equivalents.

Another project to take on, this time on warmer days, is installing a birdbath. According to OdalesOrangicLife.com’s Megan Othersen Gorman, birds are often lacking water in late summer—a birdbath can help attract them to your yard, which will keep pests at bay.

Dietary supplements are more popular than ever, with products such as botanicals, minerals and vitamins regarded as highly as other, proven, health-preserving activities. How safe are supplements, really?

A recent investigation by Consumer Reports revealed some supplements may contain ingredients that have the potential to harm health. The organization sent secret shoppers to retailers, including Costco, GNC, Whole Foods and the Vitamin Shoppe, to gauge how knowledgeable employees are when it comes to supplements. The information employees provided, according to Consumer Reports, was lacking—when asked about yohimbe, for instance, employees did not disclose that the plant extract has been linked to serious side effects.

All told, 15 ingredients were deemed “potentially harmful” by Consumer Reports—and, because supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these ingredients may be blended and packaged in a way that is even more detrimental to health.

“The dietary supplement marketplace lacks the oversight it needs to keep consumers safe,” said Ellen Kunes, Health Content team leader at Consumer Reports, in a statement. “Supplement manufacturers should register their products to enable them to be identified and tracked for safety recalls and to show they are safe before being sold in retail stores, doctors’ offices and hospitals.”

Another expert, however, says the majority of supplements pose little risk.

“There is a small minority of products that do contain ingredients that shouldn’t be in there,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO of The Council for Responsible Nutrition, “but the larger companies, the big brands that you and I see, the ones producing the majority of the products out there, are doing quite well and are very safe for consumers.”

“We are concerned that many supplements are either unsafe or unproven,” Kunes added. “Rather than looking to supplements, consumers should consider other lifestyle changes such as being more active, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.”

Summertime and picnics go hand-in-hand. Planning to bring a meal along on your next outdoor excursion? Keep in mind these safety tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Keep Hot Foods Warm – Pack hot foods in insulated containers to protect against the formation of bacteria. Discard any leftovers that remain outside for longer than two hours.

Keep Salads Cold – Keep salads cold as long as possible. Discard salad leftovers that remain outside for longer than two hours, especially those that contain mayonnaise. (Consider, too, preparing salads that do not call for mayo at all.)

Pre-Wash Produce – Wash raw fruits and veggies in cool tap water before packing them. (This includes melon, which may harbor contaminants on the rind.)

Take Care with Take-Out – Buy take-out meals ahead of time and refrigerate them before packing them.

Transport Food Safely – Pack perishables at the bottom of a cooler containing ice or frozen gel packs—and pack cold drinks in a separate cooler to lessen the amount of times the perishables cooler is opened.

Wash Hands Often – Pack a supply of moist towelettes. Clean hands before and after handling food.

Baby boomers are one of the most significant home-buying segments in the market today, shifting households to accommodate needs more so than any other generation—and according to recently released research, they have specific preferences when it comes to purchasing a new home.

Their wish list, per a report revealing focus group insights by Hanley Wood and builder Taylor Morrison, includes:

“Information gleaned from the focus group helps set the stage on what the 55-plus homebuyer desires in a new home and how the industry should be building its homes,” said John McManus, Hanley Wood Residential Group editorial director, in a statement. “These influential buyers want a fresh start in a vital, connected, accessible new-home environment. And, as millions of baby boomers across the country begin the next phase of their lives, buying the right home is top-of-mind for them.”

The results of the focus group will inform the development of the NEXTAdventure Home, a model home slated to be introduced at the International Builders Show next year.

Are you a baby boomer considering a housing change? Contact a real estate professional for more information.

Forfeiting time off from work is not uncommon—it is most common, however, among millennials.

“The ‘entitled millennial’ narrative is dead wrong when it comes to vacation,” says Katie Denis, author of the recently released Project: Time Off report “The Work Martyr’s Cautionary Tale: How the Millennial Experience Will Define America’s Vacation Culture.”

“As the largest generation in the workforce—one that is now stepping into management—millennials are developing vacation attitudes that will define and negatively affect America's work culture,” Denis says.

According to the report, millennials are the generation most likely to have a “work martyr” mindset: forgoing time off from work out of fear or guilt.

“The circumstances of the millennial experience—the Great Recession and its aftershocks, growing student debt, and an always-connected lifestyle—have created a perfect storm for their work martyr behavior,” says Denis.

Work martyrs avoid taking time off work for a variety of reasons, the report found, such as:

• They believe they are showing complete dedication to the job.
• They believe they will be perceived as replaceable.
• They believe they may lose consideration for a raise or promotion.
• They believe only they can do the job.
• They believe their boss may have a negative reaction.

The report indicates the work martyr culture is perpetuated from both sides: millennials in management roles not only feel they cannot take time off, but also feel pressure to deny time-off requests from those they supervise.

Still, most millennials believe a work martyr is a good role to assume, and that the martyr mindset will be positively received by their bosses.

Denis cautions less time off can have widespread negative effects across all working generations.

“There are larger implications for the workforce when people don't take vacation,” Denis says. “Time off is essential to employee productivity, creativity, and overall performance.”

Summer is coming to a close, and for homeowners, now is the time to conduct property maintenance ahead of the change of season. Home improvement blogger Michael Miller and Seniorific.com recommend an end-of-season cleanup include the following tasks: